So, I went up to Princeton, MA, yesterday to the NEADS campus. Even when I had Alli, I would make several trips up a year to bring some baked goods. I realized that I hadn't delivered any since the Spring. As it turns out, Amy Reay was training with her new partner "Delancy". I felt privileged to meet Delancy before the "general population" and was able to see right away that they make a great team. I really don't know how the trainers make the perfect match between client and dog time, after time!
I knew I'd have a wonderful trip, and I wasn't disappointed in the least. As soon as I walked in I felt like it was "Old Home Week". Warm hugs, kind words and just a general feeling of comfort and contentment. Receiving that welcome each time, along with the knowledge that yet another perfect match will be made with me and my next partner makes the wait so much more bearable. Well, that, and.......
THE PUPPY HOUSE!!!!! For all the time that I've been a NEADS client, I have never gone into the puppy house! My good friend Cindy made the trip with me, and we agreed that this was the perfect end to our day.......and it made the 2 hour drive home seem like half that! There were 4 puppies there when we arrived. They were sound asleep on the rug in different areas of the room. I can only remember the names of 2 of them, Chief and Sherlock. Chief was the largest. He's a beautiful yellow Lab. Sherlock was an adorable black Lab. I fell for Sherlock immediately. Since I was a child, I have absolutely loved Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "Sherlock Holmes". I especially like Basil Rathbone as Holmes, and Nigel Bruce as Watson. I personally don't think anyone has done better than these two, either before or after......(though I like Robert Downey, Jr's take on the roll) I was shown a photo of Alli as a puppy, and it made my heart skip a few beats when I saw that Cyndi(one of the puppy trainers, as well as one who chooses the pups from the litters) was teary eyed as we spoke of Alli. I often tell people that it must help, when you lose someone close, to know that they meant so much to so many people and brought happiness to their lives. Alli may not be "gone", but she has had to retire as she is losing her sight. No matter who I've spoken to, they alway smile when reminiscing about Alli's past "antics" and "escapades"! I am so glad that she brought happiness to so many beside myself and that they, too, have fond memories of her. She continues, in her new life, to enjoy life just as she always has and has not lost a bit of her amazing personality.......
I thought that the holiday season might be rough without Alli, and to be fair I've had a few tears. The good news is that Elizabeth and Andy sent me a picture of Alli with her teddy bear. Seeing that picture just gave me a sense of calm and that everything will be okay. I will try to post that pic along with one I took of Alli when we went to "practice" in my church's fellowship hall. Twice she made the bear something of a bargaining tool! Once at home when we were headed out, and again that day at church. Alli picked up the bear and wouldn't put it down when I told her to "drop-it". At home I finally let her keep it until we got into the car, and I had to let her carry it around for the first half of our practice time at church. She really didn't seem too attached to it most of the time, just putting it on her bed.....or mine.....and sleeping with her chin on it from time to time. But, when I took the pictures, both times she looked like a stubborn child not wanting to give in.....her pouty look could occasionally win me over...... In any case, when I came across the bear and realized it hadn't gone with the rest of her "things" I couldn't just dispose of it. I hemmed and hawed and finally decided to send it on to her, along with the picture from church......and I am so glad I did. It puts the cherry on the top....that is I know she is truly happy. I really knew it all along, but the picture is truly worth a thousand words........
Yup, that's my girl!!!! She is so lucky to have had Elizabeth as her Weekend Puppy Raiser. Because of that she had the best people fall in love with her.....and in the end, give her a new forever home.
I guess it's true that when one door closes, another one opens. I had to give Alli up in order for her to begin the next chapter in her life, and Amy Reay received Delancy who will help Amy begin her next chapter.......kind of funny how that works.......??
Miracles do happen,
Peace,
Wendy
